The shortage of memory chips has impacted the entire computer market, affecting both Macs and PCs. Apple and other companies have raised their prices, but Apple is better positioned than its competitors. Machines like the Mac mini and Mac Studio are in high demand for using AI agents on devices, and Apple plans to take advantage of this by refreshing its Mac lineup in 2026 and 2027.
Apple has already launched the MacBook Neo and updated the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with M5 series chips, but more updates will be available before the end of the year.
Launches in fall 2026
- 14-inch MacBook Pro – The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to get an M6 chip, and it will be one of the first machines with Apple’s 2-nanometer chip technology.
- iMac – The 24-inch iMac will receive an update, and it will likely also receive the new M6 chip. No design or display changes are expected, so it will continue to look like the current model from 2024.
End of 2026 to beginning of 2027
- MacBook Pro OLED – A MacBook Pro (or MacBook Ultra) with an OLED touchscreen could launch in late 2026, but Apple could also keep it until early 2027. The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models will use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips because Apple will not launch M6 Pro and M6 Max chips. The OLED MacBook Pro will have an updated design.
- Mac Studio – Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Studio with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, but the launch timeline is unclear due to lack of RAM and costs.
- Mac-mini – There are M5 Pro and M6 Mac mini models in development, but as with the Mac Studio, launch timing is unknown. We could get these two machines as early as 2026, early 2027, or even be kept later in 2027.
Mac plans 2027
- MacBook Air – Updated 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models are planned for early 2027. The new machines will likely feature the M6 chip that Apple is working on.
- 14-inch MacBook Pro – An updated entry-level MacBook Pro with an M7 chip could arrive as early as early 2027. It won’t have an OLED display like Apple’s high-end MacBook Pro machines arriving in late 2026 or early 2027, but it should benefit from the same design overhaul.
- MacBook Neo – A new version of the low-cost MacBook Neo is coming, but we don’t know exactly when. It is expected to use a faster A19 Pro chip and will feature more memory. New colors are also a possibility.
End of 2027 to beginning of 2028
- Second OLED MacBook Pro – A second-generation OLED MacBook Pro will arrive about a year after Apple releases the first version. MacBook Pro models from late 2027 to early 2028 will receive Apple’s M7 Pro and M7 Max chips, designed for artificial intelligence workloads.
2028
- MacBook Air OLED – Apple plans to bring OLED displays to the MacBook Air, but 2028 is the first year we’ll see an OLED MacBook Air, and the launch schedule might even be pushed back.
- iMac OLED – Apple is also working on an OLED iMac, but it is unclear when exactly it will be released. It could be released around the OLED MacBook Air.
Chip mix
According to BloombergApple is accelerating development of its M7 chips designed for AI workloads, skipping some M6 chips. Apple won’t offer an M6 Pro or M6 Max chip, so the first OLED MacBook Pro models will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips instead of newer technology. Approximate release schedule for Apple’s chips:
- M5 Ultra – End of 2026
- M6 – End of 2026
- M7 – First half of 2027
- M7 Pro – End of 2027
- M7 Max – End of 2027
- M7 Ultra – 2028
Memory Prize
Global memory shortages led Apple to make major changes to its Mac and iPad pricing in June, and before that, Apple discontinued some Mac mini and Mac Studio models that included higher RAM upgrade options. Limited memory availability could affect Apple’s Mac launch plans, so the timeline could change.
Shopping Tips
If you’re considering buying a MacBook Pro or iMac, it’s probably worth the wait due to updates coming as soon as late 2026. The iMac is two years old and recently saw a price hike, so it’s a particularly bad deal.
The OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models are likely to be even more expensive than current models, so if you don’t want to pay more for new screen technology, now is a good time to buy. It’s probably best to wait for an entry-level MacBook Pro until it’s updated to the faster M6 chip.
The Mac mini and Mac Studio models already have extended shipping times, and if you don’t need something imminently, it’s probably best to wait for new chips. Other Macs won’t be updated until 2027, so now is a good time to buy the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air.
To learn more about Apple’s product plans, we offer a regularly updated upcoming product guide.
